by John Cunningham
he first shot missed. Sergeant McGraw heard the ball pass through the branches above him before it disappeared into the woods behind the patrol. The men immediately dropped for cover, some kneeling behind trees while others threw themselves into the wet brush along the trail. A second shot followed, this one striking a Ranger in the shoulder and spinning him to the ground.
No one could clearly see the enemy.
A faint cloud of powder smoke drifted between the pines, but the woods beyond remained silent. McGraw studied the tree line and tried to decide what had happened. Had they stumbled into a small scouting party, or was a larger force waiting ahead? If he pushed forward too quickly he could lose the patrol. If he fell back he might abandon the mission altogether.
One of the Provincials fired toward the smoke. Another man moved left in an attempt to work around the enemy position. The wounded Ranger was dragged behind a fallen log while the rest of the patrol waited for another sign of movement.
For several moments nothing happened. Then a war cry echoed through the trees and the fight began in earnest.
On the frontier, battles were rarely planned. Most began exactly this way.
Welcome to the Colonial Frontier!
The French & Indian War was fought across a vast wilderness of forests, rivers, forts, and frontier settlements. Most actions were not large battles, but patrols, ambushes, raids, scouting missions, escorts, and desperate fights for survival.
Long Rifle 3rd Edition is a skirmish game built for those actions.
One figure represents one person. One game may be a chance meeting on a forest trail, a raid on a frontier homestead, a reconnaissance mission against an enemy fort, or a fight to hold a river crossing long enough for civilians to escape.
Designed for solo, cooperative, and head-to-head play, most games can be completed in 30 to 90 minutes.
The Two Hour Wargames Reaction System
Long Rifle is built on the Two Hour Wargames Reaction System.
- When one side acts, the other side reacts.
- Move into sight and the enemy may fire first. Open fire and your target may return fire, dive for cover, or break away. Charge into melee and the fight may be decided before the first blow lands.
The result is a game where battles develop naturally from the actions and abilities of the people involved.
What’s in the Book?
- Complete skirmish rules.
- Solo, cooperative, and competitive play.
- Character-driven campaign system.
- Historical and sandbox scenarios.
- Encounter generation and random events.
- Character advancement, Fame and followers.
- Frontier forces including Rangers, British Regulars, Provincials, Native war parties, French forces, settlers, scouts, traders, and outlaws.
Use the miniatures you already own. Use the tokens in the Book. Play it your way!
Campaign Play
Long Rifle is designed for campaign gaming.
- You may begin as a settler defending a homestead, a Ranger patrolling contested territory, a British officer serving on the frontier, or a Native warrior protecting tribal lands.
- As the campaign progresses, reputations rise and fall, new opportunities appear, allies join your band, and old enemies return.
- Campaigns are designed to tell a complete story in a manageable number of sessions.
